This week’s NME (22 November 2008)

STROKES COVER FINAL v2 220.indd

The Strokes grace the NME cover this week for a special issue celebrating ten years of New York's finest act. Here, for the very first time, they look back on those early days and let us in on what exactly the future holds.

Click or tap to zoom into this image

This is an image2of17

In 2001, five scruffy looking lads from the big apple stepped out of their smelly, scuzzy downtown basement buzzing with a raw energy and a record that offered a beacon of hope in a music scene filled with plastic processed pop. The Strokes' first album 'Is This It' has proved itself to be generation-defining, but how did they get to such a point? Find out in this week's special issue of NME, dated November 19.

Click or tap to zoom into this image

This is an image3of17

LCD Soundsystem mainman James Murphy has revealed he has written the next LCD album in his head already, and has plans to record it soon â

Click or tap to zoom into this image

This is an image4of17

Late Of The Pier have announced their plans to release a series of stand-alone singles next year, having recorded a selection of songs with producer Erol Alkan. The band say they'll play the new songs when they hit the road early next year. Pic: Phil Wallis

Click or tap to zoom into this image

This is an image5of17

Radar's Goldheart Assembly share the fascinating story of how they started off in rival bands until fate stepped in to show them what great music they could make together. If you're a fan of 'West Side Story', then you'll love this one. Find out how the tale ends in this week's NME, out now.
Pic: Jo McCaughey

Click or tap to zoom into this image

This is an image6of17

LATER WITH JOOLS

In this week's NME, Peter Robinson quizzes Friday night's 'Later...' man, Jools Holland, in his home library on all things that relate to libraries, Wikipedia and making a record with Ruby Turner and Rico from The Specials.

Click or tap to zoom into this image

This is an image7of17

Mongrel at the Boston Arms, London. 5th November 2008.

Mongrel's band arrangement has certainly got us all talking, with a line-up comprising of ex-Monkey Andy Nicholson, Babyshambles' Drew McConnell and The Reverend. But are they actually any good? We watch from afar as they take to an old pub stage in London this week for a public no-frills jamming session to find out. Get the verdict in this week's NME.
Pic: James Quinton

Click or tap to zoom into this image

This is an image8of17

We salute Howling Bells frontwoman Juanita Stein in Live this week. We sum up her new presence on stage as "sassy, gothic and near-iconic". For the full report on the show, get this week's NME, out now.
Pic: Danny North

Click or tap to zoom into this image

This is an image9of17

Bold statements are made about Radar stars Bear Hands this week, as we name them the new hardest-working band on the New York circuit. Find out why by picking up a copy of the new issue of NME.
Pic: Pieter M Van Hattem

Click or tap to zoom into this image

This is an image10of17

Florence in the Machine

Florence captivates the crowd as soon as she takes to the stage in a show reviewed in this week's Live section. The night begins angelically littered with garlands of brightly-coloured flowers, and ends with Florence close to hyperventilation and sipping on tea. Read the bizarre review in this week's NME.

Pic: Drew Farrell

Click or tap to zoom into this image

This is an image11of17

The Killers return bigger and bolder in Albums this week with 'Day & Age', but how well are we really reacting to Brandon and co's new saxophone-tastic new sound? All is revealed in this week's NME.
Pic: Andy Willsher

Click or tap to zoom into this image

This is an image12of17

Klaxons have admitted that sessions for their second album were stalled earlier this year â

Click or tap to zoom into this image

This is an image13of17

Music – The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Fans and musicians, including members of Muse, Babyshambles and The Cribs, have paid tribute to Mitch Mitchell, Jimi Hendrix's drummer in The Jimi Hendrix Experience, who died last week (November 12). Head to NME.COM/PHOTOS for a photo gallery devoted to the pioneering drummer.
Pic: PA Photos

Click or tap to zoom into this image

This is an image14of17

We hear you asking the very same question we did - who the hell are K-The-I??? Well, they're the hottest new duo to hail from the hip-hop scene. The K in the name is for Kiki â

Click or tap to zoom into this image

This is an image15of17

In this week's NME we dedicate much of the issue to The Strokes, as we celebrate ten successful years in the business with them. "I remember sitting in a pub with Steve Rabowski (Strokes US A&R man)", says Albert Hammond Jr, "talking about 'Is This It' (their 2001 debut LP). He told me it was never going to have the same societal impact as 'Nevermind'." Get the full story in this week's NME.

Click or tap to zoom into this image

This is an image16of17

We give the verdict on Kanye West's new album '808s And Heartbreak' in this week's NME. We describe West's fourth full-length album as a "bold and brave progression from last year's confused 'Graduation'". Read the full review in our latest issue.

Click or tap to zoom into this image

This is an image17of17

After 17 years worth of album anticipation and a $14 million dollar budget, Guns N' Roses finally unveil 'Chinese Democracy', but after all this time and money spent, have they managed to deliver the masterpiece we have all been longing for? Get the NME verdict in this week's issue, out now.
Pic: PA Photos